Wenger revealed that he had spoken to Cazorla ahead of his post-match press conference “because I knew that I would be asked about it.”

Wenger said: “Santi told me there was contact. I have not seen the replay, but if it shows there was no contact, I will speak to him after I have seen the ­replay. I will look at it, don’t worry.

“If it shows he was not touched, I’ll say to him I don’t want to to see that.”

Video evidence suggested there was no content.

The embarrassment for the Arsenal boss came with the fact that last April he was calling for the introduction of a committee of experts who would review incidents of alleged diving.

Short sighted: Another incident missed by Wenger

Indeed, Wenger insisted back then: “An obvious dive should be punished by a three-match ban.” It will be interesting to see if he takes any action should he agree ­Cazorla was not touched by Albion’s Steven Reid.

Although, he did suggest the ­punishments should be meted out by an independent commission – not a player’s own club.

Baggies manager Clarke had no doubts about the outcome of any such ­investigation and review – and was far from impressed by referee Mike Jones’ overall performance.

Clarke said: “There was zero contact. It was not even close. I am not sure what the referee saw. But that decision changed the shape of the game.

“We knew the longer we kept them out, the more nervous they would get. That decision changed that.”

Clarke was equally upset about the second penalty in the 64th minute, again converted by Mikel Arteta.

“I have no problem with the penalty award, but there should have been a free-kick to us before that,” said Clarke who felt that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had fouled Goran Popov in the build-up to the penalty.

“The referee had been giving soft free-kicks all afternoon, but he ­somehow missed that one. As a rule I don’t talk about referees because we have some fantastic ones.

“But today we got one of the poorest of a good group.”

Wenger added: “Maybe we were a bit lucky with the first penalty, but overall I think we deserved it. We stepped up today and that is why I am proud.”